Morning Breakouts

Latest California Healthline Stories

Trial Attorneys, Democrats Criticize Proposed Liability Protections for Vaccine Manufacturers

A provision passed by the House that would restrict lawsuits against vaccine manufacturers could allow the companies to avoid liability in cases in which patients are injured because of negligence, according to the Association of Trial Lawyers of America and some congressional Democrats, the Los Angeles Times reports.

Pharmacists, Nursing Homes Preparing for Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit

With the official start of the new Medicare prescription drug benefit less than two weeks away, pharmacists and nursing home operators are working to prepare elderly residents for the new coverage, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Medi-Cal Continues Mailing Letters About No-Cost, 100-Day Rx Drug Supply

Medi-Cal officials on Wednesday will finish mailing letters to about one million residents who are dually eligible for Medi-Cal and Medicare, alerting them to available coverage for a 100-day prescription drug supply, the Sacramento Bee reports.

Health System Problems Persist at Sacramento Main Jail; Officials To Seek Accreditation

Problems with access to health care, medical record keeping, prescription drug management and staff accountability at Sacramento Main Jail “have been laid out repeatedly in inspections and reports since the jail lost its medical accreditation in 2001,” according to an investigation by the Sacramento Bee.

CNA To Remain Neutral on Use of Tobacco Tax for Private Hospital Funding

The California Nurses Association plans to remain neutral on a proposed ballot measure that would increase the state’s tobacco tax by $2.60 per pack to fund children’s health care and emergency services, the San Jose Mercury News reports.

Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Continues To Delay Health System Reform

Despite at least 12 reports over the past 10 years that analyzed alternative public health care systems in Los Angeles County, the Board of Supervisors says it does not have enough information to determine whether reforms are needed, the Los Angeles Times reports.